Stamped all over this

In the age of Internet, handwritten or typed letters are a thing of the past. Most bills are paid online, and postcards are considered relics of a bygone era. With the passage of time, the stamps that made sure that these communiques reached their intended

recipients have been forgotten, and their significance in succinctly capturing the essence of a region's geography, history and politics ignored. An upcoming regional philately exhibition, however, is eager to change this status-quo. The brainchild of India Post — Mumbai region, MUMBAIPEX-2019 is a regional exhibition that seeks to revive interest in philately, while also contemporising stamp collecting for a new generation.

Swati Pandey, postmaster general, Mumbai region, and head of the Mumbai GPO, says, "This year's theme is Gandhi and Mumbai as it coincides with the Mahatma's sesquicentennial birth anniversary year. Through this two-day exhibition, we will help visitors rediscover our country's heritage of philately through workshops, storytelling and several other events."

Space-age inauguration

The robot that will inaugurate the exhibition

MUMBAIPEX-2019 will, for the first time, be launched by a robot that has been especially created for the occasion by IIT Powai, in conjunction with Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Governor of Maharashtra. This, says Pandey, is a deliberate effort to make the event, and hence, the hobby of philately, relevant to younger audiences, especially school students who have been invited for the event.

Celebrate local handicrafts

Handmade brooch

Carrying the Gandhian themes of self-sufficiency and environmental conservation forward, the organisers have tied up with four female artisans from Kalbadevi. These artisans have created a special cover (envelope) made entirely of dry leaves, eschewing the use of plastic. They have also created handmade brooches for volunteers, which depict the GPO's dancing swan logo. Visitors are encouraged to view and purchase other handicrafts created by these artisans at the exhibition, too.

Rediscover traditional cuisine

Sanjeev Kapoor

Another cover, which will be inaugurated on November 6, is themed on Maharashtrian cuisine and is scented with the fragrance of local spices. Celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor will unveil it. This will be a homage to dishes like misal pav and modak.

Revive philately

Stamps commemorating Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary

The third cover for the event is inspired by SB Velankar, the father of India's pin code system. It will be launched on November 7. Eminent philatelists from across the country will exhibit their collections, too. Ulhas
Chogale and Gunwant Singh will conduct philately workshops for those eager to learn more about the hobby of stamp collecting. The exhibition will also feature workshops on origami and storytelling sessions.

AT Shri Sunderbai Hall, Churchgate.
ON November 6 and 7, 10 am to 6 pm
Email philatelymr@gmail.com
FREE

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